Page 248 of Boys Who Hunt
Her grip grows softer as she begins to caress my cheek. “I need you to be more careful. I know murder runs in your blood. But I don’t want to lose you to it.”
She suddenly hugs me so tightly that it catches me off guard.
“I was so goddamn worried about you,” she murmurs. “Promise me you will tell me next time you wanna plan another murder spree.”
“Mo—”
“Promise me.”
I roll my eyes and smash my lips together. “Fine, I promise.”
“Thank you.” She smiles while grabbing my shoulders. “And just so you know … I won’t stop asking why you did this until you tell me the truth.”
I snort. “Good luck with that.”
Max
Being shot twice definitely wasn’ton my bucket list of things to do, but I am so damn glad the doctors were able to take out the bullet while keeping my ability to walk and ride my motorcycle intact. God, do I miss riding … and other things.
I groan as I get out of the hospital bed to go to the bathroom, but the second I open the door, Ivy jumps into my arms, hugging me so tightly I instantly forget all about my mild pain.
“Wow, where’d you come from?” I mutter, confused about how she got here so suddenly.
“The doctor told me you’re finally getting out of here, so I asked Océane to drop me off. I’ve been staying in her sorority,” she mutters. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“How are you doing?” I ask, worried about the wounds she sustained.
“I’m okay. The doctor said I just got bruised ribs, a broken nose, and a concussion from the wound on my head, which they fixed. As long as I don’t hit my head and don’t get hit in the face again, I’ll be fine,” she replies. “What about you?”
“Much better now that the bullet has left the building. And my body,” I say, making her laugh. “But God, these hospitals are boring. And Elliot’s already been discharged, so I can’t go bother him either.”
“Lucky him,” she jests.
I smile and go in for another hug. “It feels so good to hug you while standing up.”
“Me too. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if you’d have died.”
I push her back. “Hey now, don’t say that. I’m still here, in the flesh.” We both gaze down at my hospital gown. “Maybe a little too literal.”
She laughs. “Are you even wearing underwear?”
“No, that’s not allowed.” I frown suspiciously. “Is it?”
She snorts again, and it immediately makes me blush and cover up. “Is it airy in here or what?” I stammer.
She grabs my face and kisses me so gently I completely melt in her arms.
Yep, that’s the one thing that can get me to shut up.
“You always talk too much,” she whispers.
“I just have too much to say, honestly,” I reply. “I mean, you don’t know how hard it’s been staring at a white wall all day, all night. I have plenty of imaginary friends I can talk to now, though.”
She smiles and kisses me again. “Thank you.”
My cheeks heat. “For what?”
“You saved me,” she says.